HAWAII COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT EAST HAWAII FIELD OPERATIONS MAJOR DAVID KAWAUCHI PHONE: 961-2345 AUGUST 2, 2002

MEDIA RELEASE

Hilo police are warning residents to be wary of a scam in which individuals use the pretext of a health inspection to get inside residences.

Police received a complaint that a man drove up in a van, identified himself as representing a charitable group and asked the resident if he could enter her house and inspect her carpeting and bedding for allergens.

The complainant said she let him inside, then grew suspicious and asked him to leave.

Police said there is no charitable group seeking entrance into houses to inspect for allergens.